Ecological Surveys

Whilst the Mauritanian desert is generally poor in species diversity, there are nonetheless localised areas with high conservation importance like oases, wetlands, and rocky pools. Given their importance, it is essential that development projects identify such sites.

We work with two ecological subconsultants who are national experts in plant identification and ethnobotany. The nature of their work is such that they are often doing fieldwork. Consequently we would advise our clients to give us advance warning of any longer fieldtrips in the interior so that we can book their services ahead of time.

In addition to baseline surveys, we carry out ecological research and have been involved in promoting certain dryland and Sahelian tree types whose fruit is little known yet valuable as fodder or as a natural pesticide.

We have also carried out ecological impact assessment, such as looking at the effect of mining development on migrant waders in marine areas and terrestrial wetlands. Given our knowledge of Mauritanian ecology, we are asked to check and correct ecological reports.